Middle Lion Campground

Show on map 805 434 1996

Los Padres Fire Use and Firearm Restrictions

Prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, on the Los Padres National Forest System lands, except in the Designated Campfire Use Sites. Reference the sites listed in Exhibit A.
NOTE: Only persons with a valid CA Campfire Permit are exempt from this Order and may use one of the following: portable lanterns, or stoves that uses gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel within the Los Padres National Forest.
Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except in the authorized public shooting ranges: Winchester Canyon Gun Club and Ojai Valley Gun Club

FOREST ORDER NO. 05-07-00-26-05
USDA FOREST SERVICE
LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST

FIRE USE RESTRICTIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and
protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within Los Padres National Forest.
This Order is effective from June 04, 2026, through January 31, 2027.

Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except in the
Designated Campfire Use Sites listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(a).
Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except in the authorized public shooting
ranges listed below. 36 C.F.R § 261.58(m).
a. Winchester Canyon Gun Club
b. Ojai Valley Gun Club

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from this Order.
However, persons with a valid California Campfire permit may use portable lanterns or
stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel within the Los Padres
National Forest.
Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting
force in the performance of an official duty.
Persons hunting during the open hunting season as specified by the laws of the State
of California, and possessing a valid California hunting license, may discharge a
firearm at a legal game bird or mammal.

This prohibition is in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual
or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.
16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed at Solvang, California this 3rd day of June 2026.
Jeanne E. Dawson
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Los Padres National Forest

Ojai Ranger District
Holiday Group Campground
Middle Lion Campground
Pine Mountain Campground
Reyes Peak Campground
Rose Valley Campground
Wheeler Gorge Campground

Santa Lucia Ranger District
American Canyon Campground
Baja Campground
Bates Canyon Campground
Brookshire Campground
Buck Spring Campground
Cerro Alto Campground
Cumbre Day Use Area
Davy Brown Campground
Figueroa Campground
Friis Campground
Hi Mountain Campground
Horseshoe Spring Campground
La Panza Campground
Miranda Pine Campground
Navajo Flat Campground / Staging Area
Nira Campground
Pino Alto Day Use Area
Paradise Campground
Wagon Flat Campground

Mount Pinos Ranger District
Aliso Park Campground
Ballinger Campground
Caballo Campground
Campo Alto Campground
Chuchupate Campground
Chula Vista Campground
Dutchman Campground
Halfmoon Campground
Kings Camp Campground
Marian Campground
McGill Campground
McGill Group Campground
Mt. Pinos Campground
Pine Springs Campground
Reyes Creek Campground
Toad Springs Campground
Valle Vista Campground

Santa Barbara Ranger District
Falls Day Use Area
Fremont Campground
Live Oak Day Use Area
Los Prietos Campground
Lower Oso Day Use Area
Paradise Campground
Red Rock Day Use Area
Sage Hill Campground
Upper Oso Campground
White Rock Day Use Area
Lower Caliente (Rock Camp)
P-Bar Flat Campground
Middle Santa Ynez Campground
First Crossing Day Use Area

Overview

Leave the city vibe behind as you meander down a winding, partially paved, narrow road that leads you into wooded Middle Lion Campground and day use area. Relax next to the running creek, take a refreshing dip, or hike the nearby trails. Tucked away in a canyon encased by chaparral and wildflower covered mountains, Middle Lion Campground is particularly beautiful in the spring and fall, but camping is great year-round.

Recreation

The Lion Canyon Trail (22W06) starts at the back of the campground. After 1.3 miles you will reach the Rose Lion Connector Trail (22W16) on the right. After 0.6 miles you can take side trails to East Fork Lion Camp, which is within the Sespe Wilderness, or West Fork Lion Camp. The main trail continues 3.6 miles to Nordhoff Ridge for spectacular views. No mountain bikes are allowed in the wilderness.

Facilities

Middle Lion has eight campsites. They are located along a single loop, close to a creek. While tent camping is best enjoyed in this cozy campground, there is room for RVs under 20 feet. Tables and fire rings are provided in each site. There is a vault toilet in the campground. There is no drinking water at this site, so bring your own water.

Natural Features

Middle Lion Campground is surrounded by chaparral covered mountains, shaded by cottonwood trees and is next to a peaceful stream near the Sespe Wilderness area. As the trees seasonally change color, you will find yourself surrounded by vibrant yellow hues!

Nearby Attractions

Hiking trails, biking, fishing are all within 30 minutes from the campground. Day trips to the higher elevation mountains for snow play are an opportunity in the winter. One mile away on the Rose Valley Road (6N31) is the Piedra Blanca trailhead where there are three trails to explore. All trails are located across Sespe Creek. The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca National Recreation Trail (22W03) in the Sespe Wilderness will lead you to nearby massive white rocks, called Piedra Blanca! It is an easy walk for the first three miles.

A principal attraction to this section of the Sespe is Rose Valley Falls. This trail to the falls begins just before you enter Rose Valley Campground. Follow it for a short half-mile and you will be at the base of the falls. The cliffs at the falls are arkosic sandstone and crumble easily, so tread lightly. Rose Valley Falls is the tallest waterfall in the range and while it is an easy hike to the base of the 100-foot tall lower tier of the waterfall (0.8 miles round trip with 150 feet of elevation gain), it is adventure to reach the more impressive upper tier. Please do not climb around on steep sections or get close to the edge. You will need to park outside Rose Valley Campground to hike the trails.

Another trail, the Sespe River Trail (20W13) will lead you downstream into the Sespe Wilderness. You will find some swimming holes along this walk. Remember, no mountain bicycles allowed on wilderness trails. If you would like to go on a mountain bicycle ride, take the Middle Sespe Trail (22W04) that leads up river eight miles to the west to Middle Sespe Trailhead.

Camp site features

Across 8 camp sites:

Picnic table: all 8 sites
Pets allowed: all 8 sites
Longest rig: 20 ft
Largest party: 6 people

Directions

Follow Highway 33 north of Ojai for 14.7 miles to the Rose Valley Road turnoff (6N31) which is at mile marker 25.84. Turn right and follow the paved road 4.8 miles. Turn right and go 0.8 miles to Middle Lion Campground. The elevation is 3250 feet. Watch out for the rough sections of road.

Stay Limit

Check in from 3 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

42 reviews

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Zach G

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

Middle Lion is a special spot. It's tucked away and very private, with a lovely creek running behind the campground, which you can filter water from. The only drawback was that, in June, there were a whole lot of bugs, but on a nice hot day you can just hang out in the creek for a while, which is great. The plots are good. There is a fire pit and a grill per campsite. The vault toilet is well maintained, and trash is taken out regularly.

Giuliana P

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 2 months ago

The campsites are right on top of each other. No privacy and feels a bit crowded. We attempted the lion canyon trail but it was extremely overgrown and became bushwhacking at some point we gave up. It was extremely hot and the water gave our dog Giardia. It also dropped to freezing at night from 95 during the day, so big swings after a rough day. We cut our trip early.

Pamela B

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 5 months ago

lovely setting in the Sespe wilderness. Campspots are not ideal due to weird layout and proximity to each other but maybe that can’t be helped. many spots don’t have shade. overall a nice campground

Ann N

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 10 months ago

Everything about the campground was perfect. No liter, reservations clearly marked, the pits ready for camp fires. It gets down to below 36 degrees at night, so no mosquitoes! Yay! The river has fast moving water. We loved our stay!!!

Anh L

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed 10 months ago

This campground has a very odd layout wherein most of the reservable sites are tiny and the big ones are first come first served. In most of the sites there's barely room to park your car and set up 1 tent (except again for the FCFS ones). And as is mentioned by many other reviews, one site (I think 4) is weirdly directly in the middle of the campground in full view of all the other sites. Luckily we got site 8 which is apart from the others and afforded us some privacy. I would not recommend this campground.

Marty A

Loop:Loop 1

Site:

Reviewed a year ago

We had an absolute blast! Some things to know: - No camp host, so no firewood for sale, but there are fire rings - Some of the sites are a little small/on uneven ground. This was the case with our site, #7. We were able to make do with our 2 tents, any more would have been a challenge. - The vault toilet was fine--not the worst camping bathroom we'd ever seen, but not the best either. - No wifi or cell service

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve Watch

Popularity: Quiet

Busiest in August, when about 28% of guest capacity is reserved. Based on 6 years of reservations.